I was in the United Steel Workers and my union guys were cool. My steward was and remains a good friend. But on the rare occasions I needed his help he (and the rest, really) would back the company. 'Well buddy, I'm not gonna bullsht ya, there's really nothing we can do'.
Coupla times of that and you're like 'wtf am I paying you bozos for???'
These days I'm with the teacher's union. So far they've been cool.
If you do not like nor get along with your union steward assigned to your area you can call ufcw 800# and ask for a different rep.
I've done that a time or two when needing someone asap and couldn't wait for my assigned rep to my area to arrive. I had another issue where I didn't get along with them. You know how now and then you'll run into that person where the other part decides for what ever reason they hate you and make your life a living hell, well that was them. So any time I had an issue I'd just request someone else.
I've worked grocery jobs without unions. Hell you need a union in this line of work.
In my experience unions used to be good and are actually needed now more than ever.. Trouble is, they got bought and paid for by the companies we're paying them to protect us against, a long time ago. So in that sense they're actually WORSE tahn the companies.
Ever notice you don't ever hear of a union shop striking any more? Any where? Ever? Now look at how shtty your last contract was, compared to those of years gone by. You youngins, ask the older guys.